Jan Lokpal was AAP's first promise, no point staying in power after setback: Prashant Bhushan

Senior lawyer and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Prashant Bhushan on Saturday said that after rejection of the Jan Lokpal Bill in the Assembly, the party was left with no option but to quit as it was their first promise in the manifesto.

"Our biggest responsibility was to form a corruption-free government and run it. It was our first promise in the manifesto. But if the BJP and the Congress are not letting us pass the bill, then what is the point of us staying in power," Bhushan said.

He also said that Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has no option except dissolving the assembly, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress were unlikely to form a coalition. "Since the BJP and the Congress have clarified that they won't form a coalition, there is no other option except dissolving the assembly. While resigning, Arvind Kejriwal recommended dissolution of the house and fresh elections," he added.

Reacting to Kiran Bedi's criticism that AAP was using the Jan Lokpal Bill hype as a ticket to ensure good results in Lok Sabha, Bhushan said that Bedi had become a mouthpiece of the BJP. "Kiran Bedi has become a BJP supporter now. Earlier, she wanted CBI to come under Lokpal but now she is supporting the Jokepal as BJP has approved it," he said.

Earlier on Friday, Kejriwal resigned as Delhi Chief Minister after the Assembly session was adjourned sine die following protests by the opposition over the Jan Lokpal Bill. "Today Jan Lokpal Bill was not allowed to be introduced, BJP and Congress united to oppose it. Their true faces have been brought in front of all of us," he said to the AAP supporters who had gathered outside the party office here today. I did not come here for power. And today our Government has tendered its resignation. And I will consider myself fortunate if I have to sacrifice my life for the country. We had a Cabinet meeting right now, and it was decided that our government will resign," he added.

Kejriwal also said that the Delhi Assembly should be immediately dissolved, and demanded for re-elections in the state.

He further claimed the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for blocking the Bill in the House, in retaliation to the FIR filed by the Delhi Government against Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani over gas prices.